Books and reports
Are you ready for personalisation?
In this brochure we outline some of the ways that we can work with our members and customers to support their development of personalisation through our training and consultancy services.
Updated - A provider's guide to procurement
This guide, published with the support of Communities and Local Government, aims to help managers of organisations that provide welfare services to respond to the procurement practices of the public sector bodies that commission services and offers guidance to help in preparation of bids. The information and guidance it contains will be of value to all service managers, finance and human resources staff involved in preparing to bid for or negotiate contracts for new or existing services.
It focuses on the commissioning of housing related support by local authorities, although it has wider application. The regulations it describes apply to other public sector bodies such as central government departments, NHS Trusts and others, and while the welfare services which local authorities commission include residential and domiciliary care, day care and advice services as well as housing related support, it is in the commissioning of housing related support where there has been most recent change and which provides most of the examples of current practice in this guide.
This guide was first published in June 2008. It was updated in March 2010 now updated to take account of changes in the sector since its first edition. It recognises that competitive procurement is a fact of life, while clearly setting out the challenges it poses. It also includes positive examples of how the sector has adapted to new ways of doing business. We received very positive feedback for the first edition and hope that it continues to be a useful resource for our members and partners.
Download Provider?s guide to procurement (pdf)
Understanding the QAF refresh: a Sitra guide
Sitra were fundamental in the drafting, piloting and reviewing of the refreshed QAF and as a result we have acquired a detailed knowledge of the QAF and how it can be implemented.
This publication is a collection of articles explaining the new QAF in detail which have appeared in our membership magazine, the Sitra bulletin over the past year. It also sets out how providers in the housing with support and care sector can benefit from our expertise through the conferences, training and consultancy we offer.
Understanding the QAF refresh: a Sitra guide (pdf)
"Supported Housing and the Law"
Author: Sue Baxter and Helen Carr
Supported Housing and the Law is the first book designed to equip the providers of supported housing, their advisers, and service users with an accessible and user-friendly introduction to the complex legal and regulatory framework which governs supported housing. Complex issues are helpfully illustrated with case studies, frequently asked questions and summaries of key points.
This is exactly what the authors of Supported Housing and the Law have done. The book costs about the same as 15 to 20 minutes of a private solicitor's time? is a bargain and every supported housing project in England and Wales should have a copy.? Ed Mitchell, Community Care's legal expert and editor of Social Care Law Today
Read the full review on Community Care?s website.
Click here to read the first chapter.
To order copies please click to be redirected to the LAG website.
Chris Smith's 2008/9 Edition of Housing Benefit for Housing Managers in the social sector is out
Chris Smith continues to provide an understandable guide to Housing Benefit that can be used by staff in a supported housing setting. His clear descriptions of legislation and regulations can support providers in navigating the often complex area of housing benefit. A real value of this publication is his common sense advice and opinions or interpretations of the legislation/regulations that will assist the reader in supporting service users in accessing this benefit. This edition of the book also covers the rent restrictions being experienced in the sector as a result of supporting people contracting arrangements, pilots for deduction of benefit for those perpetrating ASB and the new housing allowance. Sue Baxter 8th February 2008
You can order the book from the HB Help website.
Briefings
Supporting people briefings
Housing briefings
Other Sitra briefings
Sitra information sheets
